The high-speed rhythm of modern life requires women to save more and more time on household chores. The introduction of automated technology and devices into everyday life helps many of them solve this problem. One of these devices is a pressure cooker. The programmed actions incorporated in the technological process of pressure cookers significantly reduce the time spent on cooking and allow you to redistribute it between more essential tasks. We will talk about what pressure cookers are, how they operate and are controlled, will go further in the article.
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These devices are used to prepare various dishes at an accelerated pace and with minimal effort. This process consists in filling the capacity of the device with the necessary products in a certain amount and switching on the optimal operating mode. Cooking ingredients in this way does not require the constant participation of the person preparing, as well as control over the cooking time.
The undoubted advantages of such pans are:
In pressure cookers, you can not only boil vegetables, cereals, meat, fish and other ingredients, but also stew, cook a variety of sweet desserts. The only warning of experts when using this technique is the need to adjust conventional recipes. It is to reduce:
Pressure cookers can be used to cook absolutely any food, from frozen fruits and berries to tight and dense meat. Special care should be taken with ingredients that create abundant and thick foam during the cooking process. It can lead to clogging of the valve and damage to the equipment. This category includes:
Experienced cooks do not recommend using pressure cookers for frying food in oil. It is better to carry out such a procedure in advance in a regular frying pan, and then combine with the rest of the ingredients and place in the pot to continue cooking.
Also, the use of such a technique does not require the initial defrosting of the components, since this process occurs simultaneously with cooking.
Improving the configuration, functionality and other characteristics, manufacturers make their products from high-quality stainless steel and aluminum. These are the most suitable materials, as they have excellent thermal conductivity and rapid heating. The most preferred raw material is stainless steel. It remarkably tolerates high temperatures, is not affected by acids, does not retain the smells of cooked dishes, and does not absorb oils and fats during cooking.
Some companies produce steel products with enamel coating, but this is quite rare. Goods made of ceramics and cast iron are not produced at all.
For those who like to control the cooking process, prudent manufacturers began to produce products with heat-resistant glass lids. This allows you to monitor the cooking and adjust its time.
The pressure cooker is almost an ordinary pan. Its distinguishing features are a multi-layered bottom and a tight-fitting lid with valves. The lid is firmly fixed through a rubber or silicone layer with special locks to the edge of the pan.(According to consumers, a silicone gasket is stronger and more durable than a rubber one.) This is to avoid a sudden release of hot steam during pressure cooking, which can lead to burns and injuries. In order to reduce the pressure inside the tank, valves are provided that operate in automatic mode. They allow excess steam to escape and contribute to the safe use of dishes. To prevent accidental or intentional opening of the lid, many models are equipped with locking devices.
The volume of the pressure cooker can be different and depends on the number of family members. When buying such a product, it should be remembered that 1/3 of the free space should remain between the surface of the ingredients placed in the container and the lid. This is required by the rules for the use of such products.
The principle of operation of pressure cookers is to quickly heat up and create high pressure inside the container. Due to the large amount of steam generated and its strong concentration, the placed products are cooked in a shorter time without continuous stirring and burning. This is a significant advantage of pressure cookers over conventional representatives. When the pressure reaches its maximum value, the valves on the lid are activated, and a certain amount of steam is released. After that, the cooking process continues.
Most modern models of this category of goods are equipped with special regulators for the temperature treatment of products, as well as the pressure level. Therefore, using such devices will not be difficult.After studying the attached instructions and applying simple rules in practice, the pressure cooker will become an indispensable assistant in every home.
Innovations in the production of cookers have led to changes in the design and structure of the manufacture of pressure cookers. For high-quality and convenient use, models began to be produced that fit directly under one or another version of the plates.
To cook food in a pressure cooker on a gas stove, almost all models of any manufacturer are suitable. Even if the bottom of the pan does not match the diameter of the burner, using a divider will easily solve this problem. Only one requirement for a product in this category is good resistance to fire.
The bottom of the products for this type of kitchen equipment must fully correspond to the diameter of its burners, and also have an absolutely flat and smooth surface. This is necessary to tightly touch it with the electric burner and eliminate the additional consumption of electricity for heating the shapeless bottom. You should also carefully consider the composition of the product. Its low quality can lead to deformation of the dishes, which leads to a slowdown in the cooking process and an increase in the duration of cooking.
This product category is dominated by stainless steel products. This is justified by the principle of operation of induction cookers. They do not heat their own surface, but create a high temperature at the bottom of the dish and act on it with the help of magnetic energy. Therefore, a material that does not close the magnetic field circuit is not able to heat the rest of the container and the products contained in it.In this case, stainless steel pressure cookers will be indispensable.
Products made of pure aluminum are not able to close the circuit on the induction cooker, and it simply will not turn on. But manufacturers stepped forward and began to supplement the bottom of the dishes with a layer of ferromagnetic metal (steel, copper).
To improve cooking performance and minimize burn-in during cooking, many companies have adopted encapsulated bottoms. It consists in multilayering, which provides for the location between steel and aluminum plates of a thicker copper or aluminum layer.
The choice of the model best suited to individual conditions should be approached with great care. In order to determine the best option, it is recommended to pay attention to the following points:
If you follow these criteria, the purchase will not only be comfortable, but also bring maximum pleasure and enjoyment of the prepared dishes.
According to the opinions of people who actively use the services of pressure cookers, the models of both domestic and foreign manufacturers turned out to be the most worthy. So, the leading positions in popularity are occupied by the following representatives.
The model of this company is an excellent option for cooking absolutely all products, from the most delicate to hard and coarse. The cooking process reduces the usual procedure by 4-5 times. You can stew vegetables, meat, fish in it, cook steamed dishes for diabetics, and create dessert miracles. It is possible to separately purchase an additional grille for the convenience of simultaneous use.
The product is made of high quality stainless steel, the walls of which are 1.2 mm. In addition to the steel lid with one valve for steam release, the kit includes a glass lid for convenience and process control. On the case there are two non-removable handles made of non-heating material. The volume of the container is 9 liters, which is very convenient for a large family. The three-layer bottom minimizes the possibility of burning food and promotes rapid heating. This model is suitable for gas, electric induction cookers.
A stainless steel product with a three-layer bottom ensures that the ingredients in the container are quickly heated and food is kept warm for a long time.At Peterhof PH you can prepare a wide variety of dishes. It significantly reduces the cooking time, unlike conventional cookware. The glass lid made of heat-resistant glass allows you to observe the cooking of products and, if necessary, correct the time period. It has two valves to control pressure and its excess value. The additional package of the pressure cooker includes a silicone ring for a snug fit of the lid to the base. Two handles made of steel and bakelite are fixed on the body, which do not heat up and ensure the safe movement of dishes. The volume of the device is 10 liters, which is enough for a large family.
The pressure cooker from the Turkish manufacturer Mayer & Boch is made of high-strength stainless steel and is designed for 9 liters. Possessing a number of advantages over ordinary dishes, Perfect significantly speeds up the process of preparing dishes of various textures and compositions, while maintaining all the taste qualities and vitamin saturation of the ingredients. The 1 mm thick case walls quickly heat up and create high pressure inside the tank. The fixed handles made of steel create comfortable conditions for moving the dishes. This product is suitable for use with all types of stoves: gas, electric, induction. A big plus is that it can be washed in the dishwasher.
A wonderful gift version of a pressure cooker from a Chinese company. The model containing 7 l is made of high-strength stainless steel. It is designed for use on all types of kitchen equipment. This creates the most comfortable conditions for preparing a wide variety of dishes, spending a minimum of time and effort. Thanks to the vacuum lid with a safety valve, all useful substances, vitamins and taste properties do not disappear and are fully preserved in food, making it nutritious and healthy. For convenience in moving the dishes, 2 bakelite handles are attached to the body, which do not heat up during operation.
Delivered to consumer markets by the Belgian company Berghoff, products are of excellent quality and are very popular with people who cannot stand a long stay in the kitchen. With a capacity of up to 6 liters, pressure cookers provide tasty and healthy meals for the average family. And high-strength and high-quality raw material retains the taste and nutrients to the fullest. The inside of the case has measured marks, which facilitates the loading process. The convenient vacuum cover equipped with a silicone sealant creates additional sealing of capacity. A big advantage of this model is the presence of a regulator of cooking modes. Thoughtful design of the lid and non-heating handles provide additional convenience in use.
The product of the Turkish company is made of high-quality aluminum, which speeds up the process of heating the case itself and the products contained in it. Thanks to the lid, which fits snugly to the main part of the pan, the moisture does not evaporate from the container, but economically exits in the form of steam at excess pressure through a special valve. The smell of cooking food in such conditions practically does not spread throughout the surrounding space. The cooking speed of this model is many times higher than the similar process in ordinary dishes. The volume of the pan is 7 liters. The black Bakelite handles are tightly attached to the body. They do not heat up, which allows you to carry the pressure cooker without fear of getting burned. This item is designed for use on gas and electric stoves. The exception is induction surfaces. There are also no restrictions on washing it in dishwashers.
The convenient model of the Russian Ural Plant of Household Products provides for both accelerated cooking without loss of taste and nutritional properties, and the process of processing food components with steam. It is a kind of food sterilizer during cooking. This saves energy and time.High-quality aluminum used in the manufacture of products provides fast heating of the surface of the dishes and accelerates heat transfer between the body and products. A complete set of goods, which includes 2 standard handles, as well as 1 auxiliary lid, a sealing ring, a steam cooking grate and 2 valves (safety and pressure control), ensures high-quality and fast cooking.
An excellent Chinese-made pressure cooker is designed for 5 liters. This is a great option for a small family. Durable and high-quality aluminum used in the manufacture of this product provides an accelerated process of preparing various dishes from various products. Thanks to the vacuum atmosphere created by a tight lid with clamps, a high pressure is created in the container. Supplemented with a large amount of steam, it helps the ingredients reach readiness 4-5 times faster than in ordinary dishes. A safety valve located on the lid controls the pressure level and, if it exceeds the maximum mark, emits a certain amount of steam to ensure the further operation of the pressure cooker. Handles made of durable plastic create comfortable conditions for carrying the container.
The unique devices of modern progress, caused by the transience of people's lives, have greatly simplified their being and made it possible to devote themselves to more important things. And the many options presented allow you to choose a convenient copy for each consumer and for any amount. Adhering to the simple, but at the same time necessary recommendations described in the article, it will be much easier to make a choice.